Hanger.



No. 649,!!5. Patented May 8, I900.

F. STEVENS.

HANGER.

(Application filed Nov. 15, 1899.) (No Model.)

n.4, 0 (H70 l 1 j 70 7 V fig I 10 .9

Eek/ 52 61? fiave y 11 321 101 By ZZ c5 enfforgcys,

UNITED STATES PATENT Grrrcra.

FREDRICK STEVENS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DICK H. GARDNER, OF SAME PLACE.

HANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,115, dated May 8, 1900.

Application filed November 15, 1899. Serial No. 737,102. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDRIOK STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented anew and useful I-Ianger,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hangers for whips, brooms, billiard-cues, and other devices; and one object of the same is to provide simple and efiective means for firmly gripping and positively holding the devicesin suspension, and particularly adapted for use in holding whips by their cracker ends, and having a sensitive operation, so that they may be easily controlled by the flexible structure of said whip extremities and preserve the latter in shape.

The invention also contemplates the 'arrangement of a series of hangers in connection with a rack, which contributes largely to the effectiveness of the hangers, and provides means for fastening a plurality of the same in a confined space and avoid an extension over a large surface. o

Other objects and advantages will appear in the subjoined description and will be also fully hereinafter claimed, the preferred arrangement of the improved devices being illustrated in the drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rack, showing the improved hangers disposed thereon at different elevations in alternation. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a portion of the rack and one of thehangers. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the gripping-levers. Fig. 4 is a plan view of one of said levers looking toward the inner side thereof.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numerall designates a rack-frame consistingypreferably, of a piece of material of suitable length and width, having pairs of longitudinal shoulders2and 3 disposed near the bottom edge thereof, as shown, but which may be at a higher elevation, though it is preferred that the lower shoulder 3 be near the lower edge of the frame, and the adjacent corner of the latter is cut away to form a clearance-bevel 4, so as to remove as much bearing-surface as possible from points adjacent the devices that are supported by the I rack. t

' At regular intervals adjacent each shoulder 2 and 3 are contiguous pairs of gripping-levers 5 and (3, each including a semicircular conveXed head 7, fast or integral with a shank '8, having extending through an intermediate point thereof a pivot or fulcrum-pin 9. shanks S are comparatively narrow, and when secured in pivotal relationship portions of the heads 7 will impinge against each other when unengaged, the weight of said heads causing them to gravitate against the adjacent shoulder of the frame 1. The heads 7 are considerably wider than the shoulders adjacent which they are mounted, and the outer edges of the said heads are supplied with flaring horns or guides 10, which extend away in opposite directions relatively to each head and converge toward their outer extremities. The purpose of these guides is to direct the article or device that is to be supported between the heads 7, and the inner opposing faces of the latter have inserted in recessed seats 11 thereof yielding cushions or buffers 12, preferably of rubber and provided with exposed corrugated surfaces 13. These cushions or buffers 12 prevent injury to the whip, broom, billiard-cue, or other device that may be clamped between the several levers and also afford means for holding the said articles against slipping or accidental disconnection. It will also be observed that the shoulders 2 and 3 dispense with the necessityof requiring sustaining devices for the levers to hold them in relative position, and when said levers are disposed on the rack adjacent the shoulders they are arrangedinalternation in two rows, or as many more rows as the structure of the levers will permit or as the demands may require. This dual arrangement economizes space and makes it possible to hang a great number of whips or other devices within a comparatively-small surface extent, and in the use of the improved device for brooms two or more of the pairs of gripping-levers will be employed.

As before indicated, the improved construction and arrangement of parts is particularly intend ed for suspending or supporting whips and preserving their shape by allowing the The 1 heaviest portions thereof to depend and exert a tension on the more fragile flexible parts of said devices, and in view of this flexible structure it is necessary that the gripping-levers 5 and 6 have an easy operation, or such movement as to avoid obstructive resistence to the ready application of the whip extremities therebetween. The gripping-levers5 and 6 are opened by exerting a pressure thereon in an upward direction, no matter what character of device they are arranged to suspend, and their opening movement in each instance is limited by the outer extremities of the shanks 8 striking the adjacent portion of the shoulder, and it will be noted that by this arrangement the said levers will always be caused to return to a normal position and never become disarranged or require adjustment after their initial mounting. It will also be observed that all springs or other holding devices are dispensed with, and breakage of the parts having a delicate structure, as in other similar devices, is entirely overcome, and it is also an advantage in the present instance to have the seat-recess 11 open out from each head 7 through the inner edge thereof, and thereby prevent outward withdrawal of the cushions or buffers 12, which are braced against an outer shoulder 14 in each instance by reason of the formation of the said recess.

The improved device is adapted for both domestic and mercantile usage for any purpose for which it may be applicable, and it will be found particularly beneficial to those carrying large stocks of whips or to liverymen having large stocks of whips in use.

Coaching-whips or other articles to be held straight by dependence may be equally-well supported by the improved device, and the flaring horns or guides 10 could also efliciently serve as hooks to receive umbrellas or upon which to hang the latter devices by the handle ends.

Though the preferred form has been illustrated, it is obviously apparent that changes in the form, proportions, and minor details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or nature of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A hanger for the purpose set forth, comprising a pair of oppositely-disposed gripping-levers consisting of semicircular broadened heads secured to the inner normally-depressed extremities of intermediately-pivoted straight shanks, said heads standing outwardly in planes at right angles to the shanks and completely above the lower edges of the latter, the said heads having flaring guides extending from the outer edges of the same and gradually tapered toward their outer extremities, cushions mounted in the opposing faces of the heads, and a frame having a continuous elongated shoulder disposed horizontally, the said levers being pivotal] y mounted on the frame above the shoulder and having their inner headed ends normally bearing on the said shoulder, the outer free extremities of the said shanks being alsolimitedindownward movement by engaging said shoulder below and when the inner headed ends are elevated.

2. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a frame or support having a shoulder and an adjacent clearance-bevel, and pairs of gripping levers consisting of shanks with heads at their inner extremities having contiguously-arranged gripping-faces, the said shanks being pivoted at intermediate points and adapted to have their outer extremities engage the said shoulder.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myown I have hereto aflixed mysignature in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDRIOK STEVENS.

\Vitnesses:

J. W. BEEMAN, A. I1. MCVAY. 

